Electric organ



Oct. 2, 1951 l v 1 UCK 2,570,178

ELECTRC ORGAN Filed Jan. 2, 1947 3 SheetswSheet l V. l. ZUCK ELECTRICORGAN Oct. 2, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 2, 1947 INVENTOR. Zac/Z M@Q4/fm V. l. ZUCK ELECTRIC ORGAN Oct. 2, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 F'ledJan. 2, 1947 Patented Oct. 2, 1951 ELECTRIC ORGAN Victor I. Zuck,Kenmore, N. Y., assigner to The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, NorthTonawanda, N. Y., a corporation of Ohio Application January 2, 1947,Serial No. 719,896

18 Claims.

The present invention pertains in general to electric organs and, inparticular, to pallet structures and their associated parts in electricorgans of the air-driven reed type, wherein the reeds are employed asgenerators to produce electrical signals which are amplified and thenconverted into acoustic waves by a loud speaker.

Each key of an organ is enabled to control the activation of any one ofa number of different tone sources through the provision of stop tabletsthat determine which tone sources in a group associated with aparticular key are activated in response to the operation of such key.In certain organ structures heretofore used, the stop tablets have beenarranged to control shutters disposed in air passages extending betweena wind chest andthe organ reeds; or to control electricalcircuitsoextending between a key operated switch and a number ofelectrically operated pallets each individual to a reed associated withsuch switch. Either of these methods of controlling the activation ofparticular tone sources in response to the operation of a key involvescumbersome, complex and costly apparatus which is not well adapted tomany uses such, for example, as in a compact and inexpensive organintended for home use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved organ ofthe type described which is constructed in such manner as to greatlyreduce the number of parts required for its manufacture without undulylimiting the tonal range thereof, whereby a very compact and inexpensiveorgan is provided, which is well adapted for use in the home. A furtherobject of the invention is to provide a simplified operating mechanismfor the pallets of an organ to reduce the cost thereof, to minimize theamount of maintenance required, and `to provide a delicate key touch andquick response through a reduction in the inertia of, and the frictionallosses in, the pallet mechanism.

More specifically stated, an object of the invention is to provide animproved organ of the type described wherein the pallets are arranged tobe directly operated by the organ keys in an improved manner, and areoperative to control the activation oi a group of reeds associated with.the operated organ key; and wherein electrical `pick-ups individuallyassociated with each reed of the activated group may be selectivelyconnected to an audio-amplifier system, under the control of the organstop tablets, so that only Adesired ones of the activated reeds areeffective ,to produce audible tones.

Y. These and other objects of the invention will best be understood upona perusal of the following specication taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of an electronicair-driven reed organ incorporat-I ing the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic electrical diagram illustratng one manner in whichthe stop tablets of the organ shown may be employed to control thequality of the tones produced in response to the operation of the organkeys;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the reed frame,wind chest, and keyboard of the organ shown;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional View of a portion of the reed frameand wind chest shown in Fig. 3, taken along the line 4-4 therein;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View in vertical section of the rear portion ofthe wind chest, showing a fastening device for the rear panel;

Fig. 6 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional view of the wind chest stripped ofinternal attachments;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified key structure;and

Fig. 9 is a transverse section along the line 9 9 in Fig. 8.

The organ set forth for illustrative purposes in Fig. l is a singlemanual instrument having a keyboard 6, a set of stop tablets 8 disposedabove the keyboard, a wind chest I0 located immediately behind thekeyboard 6, a reed frame I2 disposed above the wind chest, an aircompressor I4 which is coupled to the wind chest I0, and an audiofrequency amplifier I6.

As will subsequently be described, circuit arrangements are provided forselectively connecting the amplier electrically to dilerent sets ofreeds disposed in the frame I2 under the control of the stop tablets 8;the electrical tone signals developed by the selected set, or sets, ofreeds being amplified and delivered to a loudspeaker for conversion intocorresponding audible sounds. The reed frame I2 extends lengthwise ofthe organ and contains rows of reeds disposed along its front, rear andupper sides. The organ cabinet preferably is provided with a hinged lidto permit ready access to be had to the reed frame I2.

Referring now in particular to Fig. 3, the keyboard 6 comprises a keyframe I8 which extends lengthwise of the organ and has a plurality ofspaced apart balance pins 20 extending vertically therefrom- Keys 22 arefulcrumed on felt washers 24 disposed around the balance pins 20,

which extend through openings in the keys. The keys are biased to pivotin a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, by coil springs which aresecured at one end to adjustable screw eyes 28 extending through thekeys, and are secured at their other ends to spring anchors 29 on thekey frame I8. Clockwise movement of the keys 22 is limited by checkscrews 30 which extend through counterbored openings in the key frame I8into the under sides of the keys, and the keys are guided at theirforward ends by guide pins 32 which extend from the key frame I8 intoclearance openings in the under sides of the keys 22.

A modified form of key structure utilizing metal weights 33 instead ofsprings 26 to restore the keys is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The weights 33carried by the rear portion of each key 22a replace the springs 26, eyes28 and spring anchors 29.

Felt pads 34, Fig. 3, are secured to the upper sides of the keys attheir rear ends Where they engage plungers 33 which extend into the Windchest I0. The pads 34 are attached to iiexible arm portions 38 of thekeys 22, to enable adjustment of the pads relative to the body portionof the keys by means of adjusting screws 40. The plungers 36 extendthrough openings in the under side of the wind chest i0 and through awind seal 4|, which consists of an apertured, inverted channel runningthe full length of the row of plungers 35. The holes in the wind chestl0 and wind seal 4i through which the plungers 36 pass preferably arelined with felt or the like, The

heads 42 of the plungers 36 are provided with felt pads cn their uppersides where they engage corresponding pallets 44 at one end thereof.

Each of the pallets 44 corresponds to one of the keys 22. The palletsare fulcrumed on a quarter-round strip 46 which is secured to andextends lengthwise of a pallet board 48 forming the upper wall of thewind chest. The pallets are retained in position by guide pins 50 and52, which extend from the under side of the pallet board throughclearance openings in the pallets. The pallet board 48 is provided witha row of openings or ports 54 which normally are sealed by obturators 55attached to the upper surfaces of the pallets 44. The obturators 55 maycomprise felt pads which are faced with leather.

The pallets 44 are biased by springs 51, Figs. 3 and 4, to pivot in acounter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, so as to seal theassociated ports 54. These springs 51 engage slots in the pallets 44 atone end and are anchored at their other ends in a wooden strip 58, whichis secured to the under side of the pallet board 48. The wind chest I8is provided with a removable rea-r cover panel 59 to enable access to behad to the pallet mechanism. The panel 59 is secured to the wind chestl0 by fastening devices shown in detail in Fig, 5. Bushings 60,internally and externally threaded, are screwed into suitable openingsin the rear edges of the wind chest I0 and wooden strip 58. Screws 6lpassed through the panel 59 are received by the internal threads of thebushings 60. Thus, a tight fit of the screws 5| is assured despitefrequent removal and replacement of the panel 59. The inner face ofpanel 59 is covered by a layer of sound-absorbing material 62 which is aseparable part of a soundproof lining 63 extending over the innersurfaces of the wind chest I0.

It will be noted that there are only three moving parts in the palletand pallet-operating mechanisms; namely, the keys, the pallets, and

the plungers linking the keys to the pallets. This small number ofmoving parts results in a pallet mechanism having low inertia and smallfrictional losses. The provision of substantially knife-edge bearingsfor the pallets further assists in reducing the frictional losses to avery low value. This reduction in the inertia, and the frictionallosses, of the pallet mechanism results in a very light and delicate keytouch even though the lever ratios of the keys and pallets are chosen soas to provide a quick response, that is, a considerable opening of thepallets in response to a small movement of the corresponding keys.

As one of the features of the present invention, a plurality of reeds isarranged to be operated under the control of each pallet as 44. Thus,referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 6 there are provided, in this instance,three reed blocks G4, 65 and 86, each corresponding to a particularorgan stop. rThe reed blocks G4 and 66 are mounted on edge upon thepallet board 48 in opposed relation on either side of the ports 54 inthe pallet board, these reed blocks extending lengthwise of the reedframe I2. rEhe reed block 65 is mounted in inverted relation above thereed blocks 64 and 88 in such manner as substantially to bridge the reedblocks E4 and 65. The reed block 65, as will be explained more in detailpresently, is supported by a cell block S8 secured to the upper face ofthe pallet board 48.

Individual cells 10 are formed in the block 58 by a routing tool or inany other suitable manner, there being a cell 18 for each port 54. Thecells 10 in the block 88 are respectively aligned with reed ceiis 1L, inthe reed bloot: The walls of the cells 18 are cut back at their upperends to accommodate a reinforcing strip 14 of suktantially squarecross-section which extends lengthwise of the cell block 68. The reedblock is secured to the upper face of the strip 14. Cells 16 are formedin the block 68 opposite the cells 10, from which they are separated bya central web or dividing panel 18 at the midportion oi.' the block 68,which serves as a baffle. These cells 1B are respectively aligned withreed cells 19 in the reed block 65. Another cell block 88 disposed onthe pallet board 48 adjacent the cell block 68 has individual cells 8|formed therein which are aligned respectively with reed cells 82 in thereed block 84. The walls of the cells 8| are cut back at their upperends to receive a square reinforcing strip 83 extending lengthwise ofthe cell block 80.

The foregoing arrangement affords communication from the ports 54through the cells 18, 16 and 8l, respectively, to the reed cells 12, 19and 82 so that when the pallet 44 is open, air under pressure isdirected from the wind chest l0 to the various reed cells for actuatingthe reeds 84 disposed therein. The walls of the reed cells 12, 19 and 82are grooved to receive reed pouches 85 which carry the reeds 84, theheels of these reed pouches protruding from the reed blocks. Suitableapertures in the reed pouches 85 permit the passage of air to the reeds84.

In accordance with the general principles set forth in Hoschke Patent2,015,014, dated September 17, 1935, the mechanical vibrations of thereeds 84 are employed to generate electrical signals by means ofcapacitative pick-up elements 8S which extend through openings in thereed blocks 64, E5 and 66 and terminate in plates extending paralle1 tothe reeds 84 and disposed near the free ends thereof. The pick-ups 86are threaded through conductive strips 88, which extend lengthwise ofthe reed frame I2 and are insulated from the reed blocks 64, 65 and 66by means of insulating strips 90. The distances between the pick-ups 86and the respective reeds 84 may therefore be adjusted by rotation of thepick-ups. Undesired movement of the pick-ups is prevented by means oflock nuts 92 threaded thereon. The reeds 84 and their pouches 85 areelectrically conductive and connection therewith is established by meansof metallic strips 94, which extend lengthwise of the reed frame I2 andare in contact with the heels of the pouches 85.

When any one of the keys 22 is depressed, it raises the plunger 36associated therewith to elect clockwise movement of the correspondingone of the pallets 44, Fig. 3. Air is thus admitted from the wind chestI0 to the cells 10, 16 and 8| and is directed against the three reeds 84corresponding to the operated key, thereby exciting this group of reedssimultaneously.

When one of the reeds 84 is activated, the capacity between such reedand the adjacent one of the pick-ups 86 undulates in a periodic mannerto produce an electrical signal across a load connected thereto inseries with a source of potential. The signal developed across the loadhas a waveform that is characteristic of the activated reed.

On passing beyond the reeds, the air emerges from the open ends of thereed cells '|2, 'I9 and 82 and travels lengthwise of the reed frame I2through passages defined by the reed blocks 64, 65 and 66 and covers 96,Fig. 3, and thence is exhausted through an exit port (not shown). Thecovers 96 are hinged at 91 to enable access to be had to the reedpouches 85 and are lined with pads 98 of sound-absorbing material as abarrier against the direct radiation of sound from the,

reeds. Unwanted leakage of sound from the various reed blocks is furthersuppressed by a sound-absorbing box-like structure 99 coristructed ofCelotex or similar material mounted on the pallet board 48 and enclosingthe reed frame I2. Preferably the interior walls of the box 99 areprovided with sound traps in the form of pits or indentations having adepth of more than half the thickness of the material and disposed atregular, short intervals over the whole interior surface thereof.

The reed frame I2 is covered by a shield |00 of sheet metal mounted onthe pallet board 48 so that the pick-up circuits are not affected bystray magnetic fields. The base of the shield |00 is in contact with ametallic coating IGI, Fig. 7, sprayed on the edge portions of the palletboard 48. The interior surfaces of the wind chest I6 are sprayed withmolten metal to form a coating |02 which contacts the coating IUI whenthe sound-producing apparatus of the organ is assembled. (Thesound-proof lining 63 and the pallet mechanism are not shown in Fig. 7.)Thus, the sound-producing apparatus comprising reed frame I2 and windchest I8 is completely enclosed by a metallic shield which may besuitably grounded.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the sets of reeds 84 which are associatedrespectively with the reed blocks 64, 65 and 66 are designated RSI, RS2and RS3, respectively. The reeds in each of these sets may be pre-voicedin any suitable manner, as by forming the reed tips, to producecharacteristic tones such as flute, viola, and clarinet. All of thereeds 84 included in the same group, Fig. 3, are associated with aparticular one of the organ keys 22, and all such reeds are activatedsimultaneously by the operation of a single pallet 44 when thecorresponding key 22 is oper.- ated. The pick-up elements 86 of all ofthe reeds are connected in parallel to one of the input terminals |03,Fig. 2, of the audio-amplifier I6, the other one of the input terminals|03 being connected to ground. The reeds in each of the sets RSI, RSZand RSS respectively disposed in the reed blocks 64, and 66 areconnected in parallel and to a corresponding one of the group ofswitches STI, ST2 and ST3 controlled by the stop tablets 8.

When the stop tablet switch STI is operated, the reeds included in setRSI are connected to the negative terminal of a source of potential |04having its positive terminal connected to ground. When one of the organkeys 22 is operated, a coresponding group of three reeds 84, whichincludes a reed in each of the three sets RSI, RSZ and RSS thereof, willbe activated. The activated reed in the set RSI will be the only one inthe group that is effective to produce an electrical signal across theinput terminals |03 of the amplifier I6, since there is no polarizingpotential applied to the activated reeds in sets RSZ and RSS. Theaudible signal produced by loudspeaker I65 connected to output terminals|06 of amplifier I6 will thus be characteristic of the activated reed inset RSI.

In a similar manner, if stop tablet switch ST2 is operated and theremaining switches are normal, the activated reed in set RSZ will be theonly one that is capable of producing a signal voltage across terminals|03 when the organ key is operated, although all three reeds in the samegroup are activated simultaneously by the operation of the key.

Each of the switches STIa, ST2a and ST3a operates in the same manner toimpress a polarizing voltage on the corresponding set of reeds RSI, RSZor RS3, but these switches are connected to a tap on the source ofpotential |04 whereby a lower signal voltage is developed acrossterminals |03 when one of these switches is operated than when thecorresponding one of the switches STI, ST2 or ST3 is operated. Thus,when more than one stop tablet is operated simultaneously, the two setsof reeds thereby made effective may have equal polarizing voltagesimpressed thereon, whereby they will be equally effective in producingsignal voltages across terminals |03; or either one of the sets of reedsmay have a lower polarizing voltage impressed thereon than the other setin order to combine the signal voltages developed in a predeterminedmanner.

It should now be apparent that, by reason of the novel constructionalfeatures disclosed herein, an organ has been provided which is veryeconomical to produce and is very compact in size and hence is admirablysuited for use in residences and other low cost installations. Thesimplification of the pallet-action eliminates a great deal of needlessfriction, by minimizing the number of moving parts required, and greatlyreduces the inertia of the pallet mechanism, thereby resulting in alight key touch. The lever ratios of the pallets and keys are preferablychosen to provide a quick response, which can only be obtained at theexpense of a heavy key touch when more cumbersome pallet mechanisms areemployed.

By reason of the provision of a pallet which is effective to control anentire group of reeds, any one or more of which may be made effective 7to produce audible tones by the operation of corresponding stop tablets,the need for expensive and complicated coupler boards oftentimesemployed in electric organs is eliminated, thus effecting a very greatsaving in cost and space.

While certain selected embodiments of the invention have been shown byway of illustration, it should be apparent that various modificationsmay be made therein without departing from the invention in its broaderaspects, and therefore the aim of the appended claims is to cover allsuch modications as fall within the true spirit and scope of theinvention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a reed organ including a horizontally extending row of reed cells,a pallet board disposed substantially in a horizontal plane and havingports therein respectively aligned with the reed cells, a row ofindividually operable pallets fulcrumed on the under side oi palletboard and respectively biased to close said ports, a horizontallydisposed key frame, a row of keys ulclaimed on the upper` side oi saidkey frame, one end of each of said keys underlying and being verticallyaligned with one end or a corresponding one of said pallets, meanscoupling said keys respectively to said pallets whereby depression ofthe other end of any of said keys elevates said one end of thecorrespondingpallet to open its associated port.

2. In a reed organ including a horizontally extending row of reed cells,a pallet board disposed Substantially in a horizontal plane and havingports therein respectively aligned with the reed cells, a row ofindividually operable pallets fulorumed on the under side of said palletboard and respectively biased to close said ports, a horizontallyextending key frame disposed at a lower level than said pallet board, arow of keys fulcrumed on the upper side of said key frame with one endof each said key disposed vertically beneath one end of a correspondingone of said pallets, and vertically shiftable plungers interposedrespectively between the vertically aligned ends of said keys and saidpallets, whereby depression of the other end of one of said keyselevates said one end or" the corresponding pallet to open itsassociated port.

3. In a reed organ, a wind chest including a pallet board having a rowof apertures therein, a plurality of pallets, each operative to controlthe ow of air through a corresponding one of said apertures, a pluralityof reed blocks arranged to bridge the row of apertures in said palletboard, each of said reed blocks housing a row of reed cellsperpendicularly disposed relative to each other and respectively openingtoward said pallet board apertures, a plurality of walls dividing thespace enclosed by said reed blocks and said pallet board into individualcells for establishing communication between said apertures and saidreed cells, and a plurality of reeds respectively disposed in said reedcells, said other cell walls being so arranged that selected groups ofreeds are activated in response to the operations of said pallets.

4. In a reed organ, a wind chest including a pallet board having a rowof openings therein, a plurality of pallets, each operative to controlthe flow of air through a corresponding one of said openings, a pair ofparallel spaced-apart reed blocks extending from said pallet board oneither side of said row of openings, a third reed block perpendicularlydisposed in respect to and bridging said pair of reed blocks, aplurality of walls dividing the space enclosed by said three reed blocksand said pallet board into individual cells communicating with theopenings in said pallet board, said reed blocks having openings thereincommunicating with said cells, and a. plurality of reeds respectivelydisposed in the openings in said reed blocks, said dividing walls beingso arranged that selected groups of reeds are activated in response tothe operations of said pallets.

5. In a reed organ, a wind chest including a horizontally disposedpallet board having a row of ports therein, a plurality of reed blocksperpendicularly disposed and bridging the row of ports in said palletboard, a plurality of walls dividing the space enclosed by said reedblocks and said pallet board into individual cells communicating withsaid ports, said reed blocks having openings therein communicating withsaid cells, a plurality of reeds respectively disposed in the openingsin said reed boards, a row of pallets fulcrumed on the under side ofsaid pallet board and respectively biased to close said ports, saiddividing walls being arranged to associate said reeds in groupsrespectively with said pallets, a key raine disposed horizontally, and arow of keys fulcrumed on the upper side of said key frame, one end ofeach said key being vertically aligned with and coupled to one end of acorresponding one of said pallets, whereby depression of the other endof any of said keys elevates said one end of the corresponding pallet toopen its associated port thereby to activate all of the reeds in thegroup associated therewith.

G. In an electric organ, a plurality of reeds arranged in sets, meansfor vibrating said reeds selectively in groups, each such groupcontaining a reed from each of said sets thereof, a source or" electriccurrent having high-voltage and lowvoltage terminals, an amplifier, aplurality of individually operable first stop tablet switches adapted toconnect said sets of ree-ds selectively in circuit with saidhigh-voltage terminal and said amplifier', and a plurality ofindividually operable second stop tablet switches adapted to connectsaid sets of reeds selectively in circuit with said low-voltage terminaland said ampliner.

'7. In an air-driven reed organ, a wind chest. a removable panel on saidWind chest, and fastening devices for securing said panel to said windchest, each of said fastening devices cornprising a bushing havinginternal and external threads screwed into said wind chest, and a screwextended through said panel and adapted to be received by the internalthreads of said bushing.

8. In a reed organ including a horizontally extending row of reed cells,a pallet board disposed substantially in a horizontal plane immediatelyadjacent the reed cells and having ports therein respectively alignedwith the reed cells, a row of individually operable pallets ulcrumed onthe underside of said pallet board, a horizontally disposed key frame, arow of keys fulcrumed on the upper side of said key frame, each of saidkeys having an end thereof underlying and vertically aligned with oneend of a corresponding one of said pallets, means coupling said keysrespectively to said pallets whereby depression of the other end of anyof said keys elevates said one end of the corresponding pallet to openits associated port, means to restore each of said pallets upon releaseof its respective key, and devices for indivldually restoring said keysupon release thereof.

9. The combination set forth in claim 8, wherein said key restoringdevices comprise springs anchored to said key frame and respectivelyattached to said keys.

10. The combination set forth in claim 8, wherein said key restoringdevices comprise weights carried by said keys.

11. In an air driven reed organ having a plurality of reeds and a windchest, a series of keys, a corresponding series of pallets havingforward portions vertically overlying rear portions of said keys andarranged immediately adjacent the reed cells for respectivelycontrolling the passage of air from said wind chest to said reeds,coupling devices respectively interposed between said rear key portionsand said forward pallet portions whereby actuation of a key causes thecorresponding pallet to be actuated, means to restore said pallets, andweights carried by said keys for restoring said keys.

12. An electric organ comprising a plurality of sets of electricoscillation generators, electric circuits and sound translatingapparatus connected with said generators for producing audible soundtherefrom, corresponding generators in said sets producing completetones of the same pitch but of different quality, each of saidgenerators comprising a vibratory reed, an air pressure source, a set ofpitch determination playing keys, means operable by each key forinterconecting the reeds of corresponding generators of the pitchdetermined by said key with said pressure source for simultaneousvibration thereby, and means for selectively electrically activatingcertain only of said sets of generators, whereby the operation of a keyproduces a tone only from those corresponding generators associatedtherewith 'which are in sets of generators electrically activated bysaid selective activating means.

13. An electric organ comprising a plurality of sets of electricoscillation generators, electric circuits and sound translatingapparatus connected with said generators for producing audible soundtherefrom, corresponding generators in said sets producing completetones of the same pitch but of different quality, each of saidgenerators comprising a vibratory reed, an air pressure source,

a set of pitch determination playing keys, means 10 activated by saidselective interconnecting means.

14. An electric organ comprising a plurality of sets of electricoscillation generators, electric circuits and sound translatingapparatus connected with said generators for producing audible soundtherefrom, corresponding generators in said sets producing completetones of the same pitch but of different quality, each of saidgenerators comprising a vibratory reed, an air pressure source, aplurality of valve pallets interconnecting with said source, there beingone pallet for the reeds of corresponding generators in said generatorsets, a set of pitch determination playing keys, means operable by eachkey for operating a pallet to thereby effect the simultaneous vibrationof the reeds corresponding therewith, and means for selectivelyelectrically activating certain only of said sets of generators, wherebythe operation of a key produces a tone only from those correspendinggenerators associated therewith which are in sets of generatorselectrically activated by s-id selective activating means.

15. An electric organ as defined in claim 12, wherein said selectiveactivating means for activating the generators comprises a plurality ofswitch circuits, and a plurality of stop tablets operable respectivelyto control said switch circuits.

16. An electric organ as dened in claim 12, wherein each of saidelectric generators comprises in. addition to its reed, a pick-up screwjuxtaposed to the reed and adjustable in respect thereto.

17. An electric organ as defined in claim 14, wherein said air pressuresource comprises a wind chest along which said valve pallets aremounted, and wherein the reeds of corresponding generators are mountedon an air chamber, there being one such air chamber for each valvepallet.

18. An electric organ as deiined in claim 14, wherein each of saidplaying keys is mounted in juxtaposition to its corresponding valvepallet, each pallet being directly mechanically actuated by itscorresponding key.

VICTOR I. ZUCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 33,180 Bigelow Sept. 3, 1861243,899 Hinners July 5, 1881 727,348 Goggan May 5, 1903 1,097,507 AustinMay 19, 1914 2,185,734 Loar Jan. 2, 1940 2,237,105 Miessner Apr. 1, 19412,343,728 Zuck Mar. 7, 1944 2,414,886 Miessner Jan. 28, 1947

